Why would anyone want to write? That’s a question that I got asked a lot during my first year of teaching. I taught freshmen in a rough part of town. I mean...really rough. I heard worse language in the hallways of that school than I ever did on a construction site. It was crazy! So many of them—and I feel so many teenagers today...even the good ones—don’t really understand the significance of writing and the ability to write. It truly is ironic that our generation today complains about writing when we probably write more than any other generation before us. How many words are written in text messages, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all the other social media networks? To say that they’d never use the stuff they learn in school about writing only shows that they are truly ignorant...dare I say...lazy. It’s even more so when these people leave comments on articles and YouTube videos. I get a kick out of reading comments almost more so than watching the video. The lack of education shows in their inability to write clearly. When I first told my uncle that I was an English teacher, the very first thing he told me was that he wished he could go back and pay more attention in his Middle School English class. This was a retired medical practitioner who had an extremely successful medical career—and he wanted to learn how to communicate better! That’s why I tell my students that anyone can, and should, learn to write. Writing is not a talent—it’s a skill. It’s something that can be practiced and improved just like riding a bike, playing a sport or an instrument, or creating an artistic masterpiece. But even more than just the practicality of effective writing, why do I choose to write? I write because I want to make people smile. People are drawn to good stories of intrigue and adventure. There is also a deep human desire to connect and express themselves verbally. My favorite movie quote in regards to writing or reading comes from the movie Shadowland starring Anthony Hopkins, “We read to know we’re not alone.” Reading allows us the chance to discover the words we so long to say. Often we think, 'no one can truly understand what I’m going through'. Then we read a book where the character goes through exactly what we’re going through. The words resonate with us. The character understands—the author understands. We find comfort in knowing that we’re not alone...and we also grow in our ability to find the words to express what we feel. How could that not make any writer happy? Knowing that they have now enriched the life of someone. If I could achieve that as a writer, I would consider myself successful. However, that is not the real purpose of why I write. I write because I have discovered for myself an incredible realm of endless possibilities and adventure. These stories of far off tales and ancient, magical lands have filled and occupied my mind since I was a boy—and only I know how to get there. I want others to enjoy these far off kingdoms as much as I have. Several of my students have had glimpses into these lands. Seeing them enjoy the stories, connect to the characters, and long for more light in these undiscovered territories is what motivates me to continue to write.
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Michael N. WoolleyThank for joining me! Here I simply share my thoughts and ideas about life. Most of it is just my personal opinion so take it as you will. If you'd like to read fun adventures, then check out my YA FANTASY/ADVENTURE tab. You can also support me on Patreon where you'll then get more creative writing content. Archives
January 2020
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